The way to become friends with a meerkat

is to go round to the Donkey on Welford Rd in Leicester and grab a handful of the free monkey nuts. On the way to visit your meerkat, rub yourself all over with the nuts. Obviously, you should avoid rubbing yourself in areas that might prompt the police to arrest you (such as in front of schools etc.).

For some reason, they aren't keen on taking a peanut from your fingers and eating it. Hold it against your shirt, within reach, and let the 'kat scrabble it out from your fingertips.

Here - like this

They hardly ever draw blood, and shirts aren't that expensive..